Integral Velocidade-Tempo da Insuficiência Aórtica: Um Novo Marcador Ecocardiográfico na Avaliação da Gravidade da Insuficiência Aórtica / Velocity-Time Integral of Aortic Regurgitation: A Novel Echocardiographic Marker in the Evaluation of Aortic Regurgitation Severity

Resumo Fundamento A ecocardiografia é essencial para o diagnóstico e a quantificação da insuficiência aórtica (IA). A integral velocidade-tempo (IVT) do fluxo da IA pode estar relacionada à gravidade da IA. Objetivo Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar se a IVT é um marcador ecocardiográfico de gravidade da IA. Métodos Foram incluídos todos os pacientes com IA nativa moderada ou grave e ritmo sinusal que visitaram o nosso laboratório de imagem entre janeiro e outubro de 2016. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um ecocardiograma completo com medição da IVT da IA. A associação entre a IVT e a gravidade da IA foi analisada por regressão logística e modelos de regressão multivariada. Valores p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Entre os 62 pacientes incluídos (68,5±14,9 anos; 64,5%: IA moderada; 35,5%: IA grave), a IVT foi maior em indivíduos com IA moderada em comparação àqueles com IA grave (2,2±0,5 m versus 1,9±0,5 m, p=0,01). Pacientes com IA grave apresentaram valores maiores de diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (DDFVE) (56,1±7,1 mm versus 47,3±9,6 mm, p=0,001), volume diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (VDFVE) (171±36,5 mL versus 106±46,6 mL, p<0,001), orifício regurgitante efetivo (0,44±0,1 cm2 versus 0,18±0,1 cm2, p=0,002) e volume regurgitante (71,3±25,7 mL versus 42,5±10,9 mL, p=0,05), assim como menor fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) (54,1±11,2% versus 63,2±13,3%, p=0,012). A IVT mostrou ser um marcador de gravidade da IA, independentemente do DDFVE, VDFVE e FEVE ( odds ratio 0,160, p=0,032) e da frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) ( odds ratio 0,232, p=0,044). Conclusões A IVT do fluxo da IA apresentou associação inversa com a gravidade da IA, independentemente do diâmetro e volume do ventrículo esquerdo, frequência cardíaca, PAD e FEVE. A IVT pode ser um marcador de gravidade da IA em pacientes com IA nativa e ritmo sinusal. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Echocardiography is essential for the diagnosis and quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR). Velocity-time integral (VTI) of AR flow could be related to AR severity. Objective This study aims to assess whether VTI is an echocardiographic marker of AR severity. Methods We included all patients with moderate or severe native AR and sinus rhythm who visited our imaging laboratory from January to October 2016. All individuals underwent a complete echocardiogram with AR VTI measurement. The association between VTI and AR severity was analyzed by logistic regression and multivariate regression models. A p-value<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among the 62 patients included (68.5±14.9 years old; 64.5%: moderate AR; 35.5%: severe AR), VTI was higher in individuals with moderate AR compared to those with severe AR (2.2±0.5 m vs. 1.9±0.5 m, p=0.01). Patients with severe AR presented greater values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (56.1±7.1 mm vs. 47.3±9.6 mm, p=0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (171±36.5 mL vs. 106±46.6 mL, p<0.001), effective regurgitant orifice (0.44±0.1 cm2vs. 0.18±0.1 cm2, p=0.002), and regurgitant volume (71.3±25.7 mL vs. 42.5±10.9 mL, p=0.05), as well as lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (54.1±11.2% vs. 63.2±13.3%, p=0.012). The VTI proved to be a marker of AR severity, irrespective of LVEDD, LVEDV, and LVEF (odds ratio 0.160, p=0.032) and of heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (odds ratio 0.232, p=0.044). Conclusions The VTI of AR flow was inversely associated with AR severity regardless of left ventricular diameter and volume, heart rate, DBP, and LVEF. VTI could be a marker of AR severity in patients with native AR and sinus rhythm. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Velocity-Time Integral of Aortic Regurgitation: A Novel Echocardiographic Marker in the Evaluation of Aortic Regurgitation Severity. / Integral Velocidade-Tempo da Insuficiência Aórtica: Um Novo Marcador Ecocardiográfico na Avaliação da Gravidade da Insuficiência Aórtica.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is essential for the diagnosis and quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR). Velocity-time integral (VTI) of AR flow could be related to AR severity. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess whether VTI is an echocardiographic marker of AR severity. METHODS: We included all patients with moderate or severe native AR and sinus rhythm who visited our imaging laboratory from January to October 2016. All individuals underwent a complete echocardiogram with AR VTI measurement. The association between VTI and AR severity was analyzed by logistic regression and multivariate regression models. A p-value<0,05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 62 patients included (68.5±14.9 years old; 64.5%: moderate AR; 35.5%: severe AR), VTI was higher in individuals with moderate AR compared to those with severe AR (2.2±0.5 m vs. 1.9±0.5 m, p=0.01). Patients with severe AR presented greater values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (56.1±7.1 mm vs. 47.3±9.6 mm, p=0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (171±36.5 mL vs. 106±46.6 mL, p<0.001), effective regurgitant orifice (0.44±0.1 cm2vs. 0.18±0.1 cm2, p=0.002), and regurgitant volume (71.3±25.7 mL vs. 42.5±10.9 mL, p=0.05), as well as lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (54.1±11.2% vs. 63.2±13.3%, p=0.012). The VTI proved to be a marker of AR severity, irrespective of LVEDD, LVEDV, and LVEF (odds ratio 0.160, p=0.032) and of heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (odds ratio 0.232, p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The VTI of AR flow was inversely associated with AR severity regardless of left ventricular diameter and volume, heart rate, DBP, and LVEF. VTI could be a marker of AR severity in patients with native AR and sinus rhythm. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

FUNDAMENTO: A ecocardiografia é essencial para o diagnóstico e a quantificação da insuficiência aórtica (IA). A integral velocidade-tempo (IVT) do fluxo da IA pode estar relacionada à gravidade da IA. OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar se a IVT é um marcador ecocardiográfico de gravidade da IA. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos todos os pacientes com IA nativa moderada ou grave e ritmo sinusal que visitaram o nosso laboratório de imagem entre janeiro e outubro de 2016. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um ecocardiograma completo com medição da IVT da IA. A associação entre a IVT e a gravidade da IA foi analisada por regressão logística e modelos de regressão multivariada. Valores p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: Entre os 62 pacientes incluídos (68,5±14,9 anos; 64,5%: IA moderada; 35,5%: IA grave), a IVT foi maior em indivíduos com IA moderada em comparação àqueles com IA grave (2,2±0,5 m versus 1,9±0,5 m, p=0,01). Pacientes com IA grave apresentaram valores maiores de diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (DDFVE) (56,1±7,1 mm versus 47,3±9,6 mm, p=0,001), volume diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (VDFVE) (171±36,5 mL versus 106±46,6 mL, p<0,001), orifício regurgitante efetivo (0,44±0,1 cm2 versus 0,18±0,1 cm2, p=0,002) e volume regurgitante (71,3±25,7 mL versus 42,5±10,9 mL, p=0,05), assim como menor fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) (54,1±11,2% versus 63,2±13,3%, p=0,012). A IVT mostrou ser um marcador de gravidade da IA, independentemente do DDFVE, VDFVE e FEVE ( odds ratio 0,160, p=0,032) e da frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) ( odds ratio 0,232, p=0,044). CONCLUSÕES: A IVT do fluxo da IA apresentou associação inversa com a gravidade da IA, independentemente do diâmetro e volume do ventrículo esquerdo, frequência cardíaca, PAD e FEVE. A IVT pode ser um marcador de gravidade da IA em pacientes com IA nativa e ritmo sinusal. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Relación entre el grosor intimomedial carotídeo y el resultado del ecocardiograma de ejercicio en pacientes con sospecha de enfermedad coronaria / Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and the results of exercise echocardiography in patients with suspected coronary disease

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Long-term prognostic value of peak exercise echocardiogram in patients hospitalized with acute chest pain.

INTRODUCTION: Peak exercise echocardiogram (EEcho) has shown reasonable sensitivity and specificity in detecting significant coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of EEcho in patients hospitalized for acute chest pain (CP) and its additional prognostic information regarding exercise electrocardiogram test (EECG). METHODS: Prospective observational study performed between May 2011 and September 2013, including 250 patients consecutively admitted for acute CP with normal cardiac biomarkers and nondiagnostic electrocardiogram. All patients were prospectively followed for 1 year, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were recorded: cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), or angina with coronary revascularization. RESULTS: EEcho was positive in 16%. Patients with positive EEcho had a higher incidence of hypertension and higher TIMI risk score, showing significant CAD in 66%. We observed contradictory results (EECG-EEcho) in 20%. Patients with positive EEcho and negative EECG had significant CAD in the 66%, and patients undergoing coronary angiography with negative EEcho and positive EECG did not show significant coronary artery disease. Only positive EEcho (P<.001, HR 0.169; 95% CI, 0.088-0.250) and atrial fibrillation (P<.025, HR 0.125; 95% CI, 0.016-0.233) were independently associated with MACE during follow-up. In patients with negative EEcho, the presence of MACE was 2%. CONCLUSIONS: EEcho in patients hospitalized for acute chest pain presents good ability to diagnose acute coronary syndrome, while providing additional information when combined with an EECG in up to 20% of cases. Moreover, a negative EEcho in this cohort seems to provide prognostic information beyond the acute event to predict long-term MACE.

Ventricular septal defect and bidirectional shunting? Things are not what they seem.

This report describes the case of a 19-year-old woman with a diagnosis of muscular ventricular septal defect. Bidirectional shunting was observed during a transthorathic echocardiography evaluation which also suggested normal pulmonary arterial pressure. Moreover, anomalous and hypertrophic right ventricular muscular bands were observed. After having ruled out other possibilities, the plausible explanation is one, which is not described in the literature. The findings may be explained as a sequestrated portion of the cavity of the right ventricle that remains isolated from the rest of the right ventricle (RV) by anomalous and hypertrophic right ventricular muscular bands, with communication only between the left ventricle and the sequestrated part of the RV. This is an unusual variant of two-chambered RV simulating two-chambered left ventricle.

ß-trace protein and cystatin C as predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with acute heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic importance of novel markers of renal dysfunction among patients with acutely destabilized heart failure (ADHF). BACKGROUND: ß-trace protein (BTP) and cystatin C are newer biomarkers for renal dysfunction; the prognostic importance of these tests, particularly BTP, relative to standard measures of renal function remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 220 consecutive hospitalized patients with ADHF were prospectively studied. Blood samples were collected on presentation. In-hospital worsening renal function, as well as mortality and/or heart failure (HF) hospitalization, over a median follow-up period of 500 days was examined as a function of BTP or cystatin C concentrations; results were compared with creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and blood urea nitrogen. RESULTS: Neither BTP nor cystatin C was associated with worsening renal function during the index hospitalization. A total of 116 patients (53%) either died or were hospitalized for HF during follow-up. Those with adverse outcomes had higher BTP (1.04 mg/l [range 0.80 to 1.49 mg/l] vs. 0.88 mg/l [range 0.68 to 1.17 mg/l], p = 0.003) and cystatin C (1.29 mg/l [range 1.00 to 1.71 mg/l] vs. 1.03 mg/l [range 0.86 to 1.43 mg/l], p = 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, both BTP (hazard ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.06 to 1.88; p = 0.018) and cystatin C (hazard ratio: 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 2.01; p = 0.006) were significant predictors of death/HF hospitalization, whereas serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and blood urea nitrogen were no longer significant. In patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), elevated concentrations of BTP and cystatin C were still associated with significantly higher risk of adverse clinical events (p < 0.05). Net reclassification index analysis suggested cystatin C and BTP deliver comparable information regarding prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized with ADHF, BTP and cystatin C predict risk of death and/or HF hospitalization and are superior to standard measures of renal function for this indication.